Trevor Ariza, SF29 MIN | 1-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 6 REB | 2 AST | 2 PTS | -13His offensive game was…offensive. Couldn’t knock down a shot when the ball was swung to him and couldn’t create for himself. Defensively, he was not the lockdown guy he needed to be in order to forgive the poor offense.

Jason Smith, PF24 MIN | 4-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 0 AST | 8 PTS | -12His jumper forces the defense to remain honest on pick and pops, and theoretically, it would be that much more effective if this team had someone who could constantly attack the hoop on the court. Looking at you, Mr. Gordon.

Emeka Okafor, C21 MIN | 4-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 8 REB | 1 AST | 8 PTS | -7Mek had back to back possessions in the first that looked awful, but resulted in four points. He had a quiet 8 and 8 otherwise, as Ayon warranted the extra minutes with his fabulous play.

Jarrett Jack, PG33 MIN | 6-14 FG | 7-7 FT | 2 REB | 5 AST | 20 PTS | -13Jack started off hot early and faded down the stretch. In the future, the 4th quarter will be Eric Gordon time. Right now, Jack is being asked to do too much. And the stat sheet says he had 2 turnovers. I cal Shenanigan’s. I remember 2 on back to back plays in the second quarter alone. Either way, B+.

Marco Belinelli, SG33 MIN | 2-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 4 PTS | -11With Henry joining the team and Gordon coming back in three weeks, Belly has to find another role on the Hornets. Team Chef?

Gustavo Ayon, PF17 MIN | 8-10 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 16 PTS | +4No more excuses- this isn’t a young, greedy pup in Marcus Thornton who you need to teach a lesson. This is a man who knows how to play the game of basketball. 15+ minutes every night Monty, no matter what!

Al-Farouq Aminu, SF25 MIN | 5-6 FG | 1-1 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 11 PTS | -6Did some nice things, but still mad some head scratching mistakes. Love that he pulls down rebounds, but you gotta look for your guards once you pull it down. He still thinks he can push the rock a la Scottie Pippen. Not there yet young man.

Five Things We Saw

Xavier Henry was aggressive in his Hornets debut, but the long layoff has made him a little skiddish when he attacks the bucket. He needs to take it a little harder, and despite the fact that he looks like he lives in the weight room, he needs to get stronger to be able to finish when he gets contact.

Aminu has some nice moves in his arsenal, and I think we will continue to see them as this season drags on. You can see in Monty’s face that he realizes that the playoffs is a pipe dream, and developing guys like Aminu could be the key to whether he sticks around long term.

Chris Kaman was inactive tonight, and the Hornets made it a point to say that he was not injured. Making a statement to motivate him or ensuring that he doesn’t get injured before a trade? I find it hard to believe this was done to motivate him, so be on the lookout for a move soon. Celtics have always appeared to be the best trade partner and we know Demps and Ainge talked plenty last month.

Gustavoooooooooooooo! Seriously, how can you not love this guy? Such high IQ and work ethic, with skills to boot. I am going to All-Star weekend in Orlando this year, and I was bummed because I couldn’t see any Hornets being invited to attend any events, but is it crazy to think Gustavo could be on the Rookie team?

We are an hour away from the Gordon extension deadline, and still nothing. I was personally told from a source I trust that the final offer was made to Gordon and that the ball was in Gordon’s court. It was less than the max, but Gordon is looking for stability. If it doesn’t get done, it is because Gordon wants max money. I wouldn’t mind if he came back and proved he was worth it.

First of all... I got two words for everyone, El Titan!
Since Gustavo Ayon's jersey number is 15 (the same as Tebow in the NFL), I want to start a new twitter craze called "Ayoning". I'm open to ideas.
Man, do the Hornets miss having a player or players that can close out games. I'm not saying the Bees would have won this one because the Thunder are just a better team, but watching the Hornets play down the stretch of games is gut-wrenching. Two glaring questions keep coming to my head:
1.) who is the player that Monty can rely on to make a good decision with the basketball? Vasquez likes to throw it to the other team, and Jack doesn't like to throw it to anyone. Kaman and Aminu are turnover machines late in games (which is kinda unfair to Kaman; he's a turnover machine pretty much the whole game.). Ariza maybe?
2.) who is the guy that the Hornets can get the ball to that can actually make a shot when the game is on the line? I hate to sound negative, but that guy doesn't exist on this Hornets roster. Maybe Gordon can become that guy, but what has he done so far in his career to indicate that he can take up the flag and assault that hill? It's certainly not Marco; he just has no confidence right now, and will consistantly miss wide-open, momentum-changing shots (like that 3 last night in the 4th quarter).

OKC resident and Thunder/Hornets fan.
Good game tonight, and I won't be looking forward to playing against NOLA when Gordon is healthy. I had no idea who Ayon was before tonight, but he was impressive. I really hope you guys can figure out a way to hold onto Gordon and get a few other good pieces down there. NOLA deserves a good team after the support they showed the last few years.

Ayon's the real deal, as long as he keeps hustling. If Monty wants to keep his job, he'll start Ayon at PF. If he doesn't start playing him more and keeps his job, Stern may be trying to lose to get a top pick. With Ayon playing a lot and Gordon back, they might not get a top pick..

I want Ayon to start! more minutes = more experience = better player. Quick question, can Ayon start at C? or is he a PF that can play occasional C? Cause if we ever luck into the 1st overall pick and draft Anthony Davis, i was thinking if a Davis/Ayon starting big is championship material combo. As it stands, i say yes. But i'd like to know everybody's opinion re: Ayon at C.

that would be a slim starting frontcourt. we had troubles with the lakers bigs in the playoffs last season, and that lineup would be worse. especially with memphis, OKC, and LAL all having big frontcourts.

Ayon was a monster out there tonight.
Also, I was really hoping Gordon's contract situation would be sorted out tonight. Now we're going to have to hear the media constantly say that EJ is not interested in remaining a Hornet :/

Yeah, my take on Kaman not playing is he isn't good enough to warrant minutes. If he sucks for us, it's hard to believe he won't suck for a contender. What contender will trade quality pieces for a crap piece just to get an expiring contract? Or, to put it another way, how much better will the pieces we get in a trade be than pieces we could get in free agency (including Eric Gordon. The cap space for resigning Gordon has to come from somewhere.).

Despite looking completely clueless on the defensive end, Xavier inexplicably impressed me tonight. I don't know if it's because he appears to have alot of potential or because his arms are as big as Meks. There's something about him, though, that makes me excited.
Oh, and I'm getting really nervous on this Gordon extension (or lack thereof). To be honest, I wouldn't give him max money either.